Australian Violin Teachers On-Line Guide

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Catherine Dobbie B.A. (Syd.) , L.T.C.L. , A.T.C.L. , A.Mus.A. , A.S.C.M., Grad.Dip.Ed, M.A.C.E

Australian Violinist & Music Educator

Catherine Dobbie is one of Australia's leading violin teachers. She is regarded as a leading figure in music education in Sydney and has twice been recognised by the Australian Music Examinations Board with the award of the A.M.E.B. Private Music Teacher Shield.

Following her primary education at SCEGGS, Catherine completed her secondary education at MLC School (where she was awarded the Lindley Evans Prize for Music) and the Conservatorium High School in Sydney followed by advanced musical studies with acclaimed Australian violinist Christopher Kimber and the Australian composer and pianist Marjorie Hesse. While completing her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Sydney she continued her violin studies and also studied singing with Grant Dickson at the Sydney Conservatorium. As violinist with the Pogodin Trio, Catherine has performed for the University of Sydney and has broadcast for Radio 2MBS-FM.

As a Director of the Sydney International Music Camps, Catherine has been involved with stimulating music education by bringing together young musicians to experience the joys of orchestral music making. In 1994 she was appointed Sydney Representative for the Trinity College London International Examinations Program before moving on to her current position as Co- Editor of the Sydney Directory of Music & Speech Teachers with her twin brother Warrick.

Following violin teaching positions at Trinity Grammar School, Meriden School and PLC Sydney, Catherine established herself as one of Sydney's leading violin teachers and now teaches exclusively at her own private studio located at the heart of Sydney's inner western education belt. Many of her students have had great success in gaining sought after music scholarships at Sydney private schools, a recent highlight in 2004 saw two of Sydney's leading private schools each offering one of Catherine's students a full music scholarship both covering 100% of the student's school fees for Years 7 to 12.

Contact Details :

Phone : (02) 9744 9654

Askar Nurlanov Masters Degree ( Moscow Conservatoire )

Teacher of Violin

Mr Nurlanov has had a successful teaching career for many years.He has taught Violin in Conservatories in Russia (Moscow), Kazakhstan (Alma-Ata) and Australia (Sydney). Mr.Nurlanov teaches students at both primary and tertiary level at his Studio in Pymble. Many of his students obtain excellent results in various examinations and are often prizewinners in Violin competitions. Mr Nurlanov received his Masters Diploma with Distinction from Moscow State Conservatoire. He has worked with many Russian and Australian Symphony and Chamber Orchestras.Mr.Nurlanov performes many Solo and Chamber Music Recitals

Contact Details :

Phone : 9488 8095

Mobile : 0415 277671

Alla Rozumiak Degree : Orchestra Soloist, Ensemble Performer, Tutor (USSR)

Teacher of Violin and Piano

Alla received her early musical training at the Special Music High School for Gifted Children in Kiev, Ukraine, studying with Nina Minko. She furthered her studies at the Kiev State Conservatory (class of Prof. Bogodar Kotorovich ). During her period of study, she was awarded the Liatoschinsky Memorial Scholarship for the most outstanding students.

Alla is a Laureate of the International Competition of Chamber Ensembles "Premio Vittorio Gui", Florence Italy (1989). She has held the following positions overseas; Principal Violinist with the Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra in Yalta, Ukraine; Concertmaster of the Symphonic Orchestra for the Opera and Operette Theatre in Szczecin, Poland , and worked with the National Music Conservatory in Amman, Jordan as Concertmaster of the National Orchestra, Violinist-in-Residence and violin and chamber music teacher.

Since coming to Australia in 1995, Alla has participated in performances with the National Chamber Opera, National Philharmonic Orchestra and Willoughby Symphony Orchestra. She is currently teaching privately ( in the Sydney suburb of Carlingford ) and working as Musical Director and 1st Violinist of the "Russian String Quartet".

Contact details :

Phone : (02) 9683 3704

Mobile : 0416 198521

Louisa Brand MACE, M.Ed.Admin., Grad.Dip.Ed.(UNE), B.Mus.(Hons.), L.Mus.A.(viola), A.Mus.A.(violin)

Teacher of Violin & Viola

Louisa Brand was until recently the Head of Strings at Scotch College, Western Australia, where she taught the violin and viola to individuals, small groups and large ensembles of all ages and abilities. Louisa is a violin and viola examiner for AMEB WA and specialises in preparing dedicated students for the AMEB examinations.

Louisa is a freelance violist, playing in various orchestras including the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Louisa was principal violist in the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra for several years before relocating to Western Australia. Louisa is also a renowned soloist, having performed as a soloist with many orchestras around the world, including the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the SBS Radio and Television Youth Orchestra, the Strathfield Symphony Orchestra, the Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra, and the University of Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

Louisa is dedicated to string music education and has attended conferences in Seattle, Canberra, Newcastle and Switzerland.

Louisa studied violin and viola with Alex Todicescu before accepting a full scholarship to the University of Michigan USA to study viola in the Bachelor of Music program with world renowned violist Yizhak Schotten.

Since returning to Australia, she has taught at many exclusive private schools, including Abbotsleigh, Kambala, SCEGGS Redlands, St. Aloysius' College and the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music.

Contact Details :

Mobile : 0419 484 076

Teaching studio located in Turramurra.

Janet Silverton A.S.C.M., D.S.C.M., Grad.Dip.Ed.

Teacher of Viola, Violin & Piano

Janet Silverton completed her music diplomas at the Sydney Conservatorium after completing her schooling at the Conservatorium High School. She has freelanced with Sydney’s major professional orchestras and plays regularly in her Leonora Ensemble.

Janet is an experienced teacher of piano, violin/viola and is also an experienced accompanist. She has been a guest adjudicator at Cranbrook’s junior piano eistedfodd and successfully entered students for AMEB and ANZCA exams.

Contact Details :

Mobile : 0417 657 178

Studio located in the Bondi Area.

Alan Foster L.R.S.M.

Teacher of Violin

Background and Experience :

Professional orchestral violinist for over 40 years : Dunedin Sinfonia (NZ), Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (NZ), NZ Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Currently concertmaster / resident conductor of the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra.

Teaches at all levels. Students highly successful in examinations and auditions with many now working orchestrally in various parts of the world.

Provides a thorough grounding in all aspects of technique, musicianship and repertoire with emphasis on tonal quality through Franco-Belgian bowing technique and systematic instruction in vibrato.

Connection back to the Carl Flesch School via his main teacher in England.

Contact Details :

Phone : (02) 9797 9062

Studio located in the Ashfield Area.

Reginald Larner A.Mus.A.

Teacher of Violin

Reginald Larner was born in Sydney and commenced studying the violin and music theory at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music . He later furthered his studies at the Royal Academy of Music, London and in Lisbon, Portugal. His teachers included Thomas Matthews, Nathan Gutman, Sacha Lasserson, Maxim Jacobsen and Valery Klimov. He has performed frequently as a soloist for ABC radio and Radio Portugal.

Reginald Larner worked with all the major symphony orchestras in London and was a member initially of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and later the London Symphony Orchestra. During this period he was also a member of the Mozart Players, the Menhuin Ensemble and the London Soloist Ensemble. He returned to Australia as Associate Concertmaster with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and formed the Amati String Trio in Melbourne. He also taught for three years at The Canberra School of Music, and later developed a large teaching practice in Canberra teaching violin & viola.

He has worked extensively with young people in Canberra, teaching in schools, coaching small string groups and as conductor of the James McCusker Youth Orchestra. Since returning to Sydney in 2000 he has established a teaching studio on the North Shore.

Contact Details :

Phone : 9958 6717

Mobile : 0411 301 771

Studio located in the Castlecrag Area.

Christopher Kinda B.Mus. (Perf.) , Dip.Mus. (Poland)

Teacher of Violin

Christopher Kinda, Polish born virtuoso violinist started his truly global education in Australia, then in Europe, under such masters as W. Marschner, P. Janowski, J. Bushkowa.. He gained his Diploma of Music from the State College of Music in Poland - Katowice. He studied at the Oslo Royal Academy of Music in Norway, under Prof. Isaak Schuldman.

In 2004, Christopher has completed his Bachelor's Degree in Performance in Prof. W. Wilkomirska' violin class. He has been taking part in concerts and broadcasts in many places in the world. Together with his brother Gregory, he created " The Kinda Brothers " duo - in January 2004 they performed at the Sydney Opera House. Christopher combines in his teaching the legendary Polish - Russian method in addition to the requirements of the AMEB Syllabus.

Contact Details -

Ph. 9874 0876

Mobile : 0403 569 428

Studio located at Dundas in Sydney.

Romano Crivici M.Perf. (Usyd) , A.Mus.A

Teacher of Violin & Viola

Romano is an experienced teacher of both beginners (young and adult) through to professionally oriented students. Romano studied both violin and the piano at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and has a Masters in conducting from the University of Sydney.

His extensive experience as a performer includes positions with the Queensland Philharmonic, (principal Second Violin) as well as the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. He also works professionally as a repetiteur, accompanist, and orchestral conductor, skills he brings to his violin teaching and performance coaching.

He currently holds the position of Artistic director and composer-in- residence with one of Australia’s leading contemporary ensembles, the Electra String Quartet.

Contact details :

Telephone: 9559 3161

Studio located at Marrickville in Sydney

Rodney Wikstrom M.Teach (Syd.) , B.Mus.Studies (Sydney Con.) , A.Mus.A.

Teacher of Violin

Rodney Wikstrom began violin lessons at age 3 and at 12 he gained a scholarship to study at Kinross Wolaroi School in Orange. In 1997 he gained entry into the Sydney Conservatorium High School and was awarded the Associate Diploma of Music by the A.M.E.B (A.Mus.A). After completing the HSC he undertook tertiary study at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and began playing with the SBS Television & Radio Youth Orchestra and also became a member of ‘The Real Mexico’. In 1999 he formed Sydney Ensemble.

In 2001 Rodney developed an interest in music education and began teaching the violin in schools throughout Sydney. Since this time some of his students have gained acceptance into orchestras of the Sydney Youth Orchestra Association and have been offered scholarships to private schools. During 2001 he also toured South America with The Real Mexico, performing at the 8th International Mariachi Encounter. After completing a Bachelor of Music Studies he began post-graduate study with the Master of Teaching program at Sydney University in 2004. Throughout this time he has continued to play with the Sydney Ensemble and The Real Mexico, as well as orchestras which he has toured with extensively throughout Europe and Asia.

In January 2005 Rodney attended the Inaugural Australian String Academy, studying with renowned pedagogues Shixiang (Peter) Zhang and Charles Avsharian (U.S.A). In February he performed the understudy role of ‘Hector the Hero’ in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo- A Salute to Australia, and in March accompanied Shixiang Zhang to China for masterclasses with Zakhar Bron (Germany) and attended several music education conferences.

Together with his performing and teaching experience Rodney is committed to the musical education of children and considers himself to be a life-long learner. He shares his appealing real-life musical experiences and broad repertoire in his teaching as an inspiration to his students.

Contact Details -

Ph. 0421 315884

Studio located at Summer Hill in Sydney.

Magdalena Kruszynska Master of Arts (Gdansk, Poland)

Teacher of Violin

Magdalena Kruszynska completed her Master of Arts at the Faculty of Instrumental Studies, specialising in violin, at the Stanislaw Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdansk, Poland in 1988.

Professional symphonic and chamber orchestras in Australia and overseas: the Baltic State Symphonic Orchestra, Poland, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Western Australia Symphony, the Sydney Cameratta, the Sydney Mozart Players, the Gdansk String Quartet and others and since 1994 the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra

International tours and festivals across Europe with the Baltic State Philharmonic Orchestra :(Germany, Austria .Switzerland .Belgium, Spain, France),11th Music Biennale in Berlin in which the Baltic State Philharmonic was awarded 1st prize.

Magdalena has also had an extensive career as a violin teacher in Australia and overseas in the Grazyna Bacewicz School of Music in Poland and the Australian Institute of Music in Sydney. Studying under Professor Krystyna Jurecka she continued the pedagogical legacy of Professor Kochanski and Professor Gerthler from Brussels, hence representing the traditional Polish and Franco-Belgian school of violin.

Achievements as a Violin teacher :

- Entry with Honours into the Conservatorium of Cologne, Germany

- Second Prize in the State Violin competition, Poland

- Highly Commended Award in violin solo event in the McDonald’s City of Sydney Performing Arts Challenge

- Distinction Certificate for an outstanding performance (AMEB)

- High Distinction in Practice of music (AMEB)

- Numerous Honours commendations (AMEB)

Contact Details:

Phone : (02) 8814 5581

Mobile : 0404 061 893

Samantha Boston B.Mus. (ANU)

Teacher of Violin

Samantha has a Bachelor of Music, completed at the Australian National University under the tuition of celebrated violinist and teacher Barbara Jane Gilby. While studying, Sam taught violin students at schools and at home, individually and in groups. She has also performed with the Australian Youth Orchestra, the Canberra Symphony Orchestra and is the former concert master of the Canberra Youth Orchestra.

“Not only does Sam have great empathy with young people, but Sam also has the ability to develop their enthusiasm for the difficult task of learning to play the violin. She develops innovative ways of making study enjoyable while ensuring that posture and basic techniques are well established and she includes development of theoretical understanding and reading of notation from the earliest stages if appropriate.” Barbara Jane Gilby

Samantha teaches students of all ages and levels and specialises in teaching school age students. She offers lessons to students who wish to learn for fun as well as those who wish to study violin more seriously and prepare for examinations.

To arrange your initial free violin lesson for you, your child or your grandchild, phone Samantha Boston;

0431 453 614 or 9553 4335

Henry Avila Diploma : Violin Concert Performer & Teacher / M.A.

Teacher of Violin

He began his musical studies at the Juan Manuel Olivares Music School in Caracas, Venezuela.   From 1983-1987 Henry attended courses at the Julliard School of Music in New York, where he took classes with Lewis Kaplan, Glenn Dicterow and Margaret Pardee.

In 1988 Henry won a scholarship to continue his studies in the former USSR, with Aram Shamshian (former student of Konstantin Mostras). Henry completed his Degree as a Violin Concert Performer, Teacher & Master of Arts. Henry has performed as a soloist with orchestra and has performed violin and piano recitals overseas as well as in Australia.

Since arriving to Australia Henry has taught at the Australian Institute of Music, Newington College, and University of Western Sydney. He is currently Director of Strings of Burwood Girls High School and responsible for string programs conducted in various Schools in the Inner West of Sydney. He also teaches at Santa Sabina College.

Along with his teaching career, he actively continues to perform as a soloist, as a member of the Cambridge String Quartet and as well as the Musical Director of the group-band Fiesta Viva

His studio is located in the Strathfield area.

Contact details :

Phone : 02 97456914

Mobile : 0416 013 370

Nicole Vieser B.Mus. (Sydney Conservatorium)

Teacher of Violin

Nicole gained her Bachelor of Music degree at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 1994. A highly experienced and charismatic teacher, with outstanding skills in both technique and musicality, Nicole has the ability of transferring such qualities to her own students in a manner that is as relaxed as it is disciplined. Nicole utilizes both the piano and guitar to accompany her students with the focus of lessons being to enjoy the creative process of learning an instrument. Students are more receptive to harmonising and making music together whilst building the foundations of technique.

In 2002, Nicole began studying Music Therapy which complements her work with students of all ages and motivations. She is completing her Master of Arts degree in Music Therapy at UTS.

Currently working at the Sydney Music Education Centre, Nicole taught for over ten years at leading schools in Sydney such as Ascham School in Edgecliff and St Clare's College, Waverly. Having recently been working and living in America for the past 3 years, Nicole has now relocated to the beautiful Blue Mountains and is teaching both piano and violin at her home in Blackheath. All ages and levels are welcome, whether you are learning for fun or wishing to take AMEB exams. Lessons can be half an hour or one hour long, once or twice a week.

Call Nicole to discuss your introductory session now.

Contact Details -

Mobile : 0431 949 727

Studio located at Blackheath NSW.

Disclaimer : These personal profiles appear as supplied by the individual teachers and have not been edited or varied in any way by the Sydney Directory of Music & Speech Teachers. Any views expressed therefore are those of the individuals themselves and the Sydney Directory of Music & Speech Teachers disclaims any responsibility for their content.